Calls for NHS to ditch the word ‘midwife’ – because it excludes transgender people

The is facing fresh criticism over its commitment to inclusivity after a proposal was made to replace the word “midwife” with the term “lead perinatal practitioner” in an effort to better accommodate and non-binary people.

This new suggestion comes from two academics in the field of midwifery, Dr John Peddleton from the University of Northampton and Dr Sally Pezaro from Coventry University.

Their research paper argues that the word “midwife” has become outdated and serves to reinforce the “patriarchy.”

The academics contend that as transgender and non-binary people increasingly require access to maternity services, a more inclusive term is needed to reflect this shift in societal understanding.

Dr Peddleton and Dr Pezaro’s paper, titled From Midwife to Lead Perinatal Practitioner: A Utopian Vision, calls for a change in the language used by the NHS, claiming that terms like “midwife” uphold which may not be applicable in modern society.

The authors suggest that the word “midwife,” which has been in use since medieval times, has a gendered implication that could make transgender men and non-binary individuals feel excluded.

The paper argues that a shift away from traditional gendered language would not only enhance inclusivity but also contribute to a broader societal understanding of gender and sex.

In their view, adopting alternative language such as “lead perinatal practitioner” would help the midwifery profession evolve and make the healthcare environment more accessible for all.

However, the proposal has sparked significant backlash from those who argue that it is unnecessary and detracts from the focus on providing care for women during childbirth.

Critics have dismissed the suggestion as an example of “wokeness” gone too far, claiming that it risks undermining the clear role that midwives play in supporting women through pregnancy and childbirth.

Helen Joyce, from the campaign group Sex Matters, labelled the proposal as “ideological nonsense,” stating that it prioritised political correctness over the needs of women.

She told : “Maternity services are under enough pressure without ideological nonsense being foisted upon them”.

Other voices in the midwifery profession, including Anna Melamed from the University of the West of England, have similarly rejected the idea, asserting that midwives are uniquely qualified to support women in childbirth, regardless of how individuals may identify.

This latest controversy follows a string of perceived examples of NHS wokeness. In 2022, the NHS faced criticism after it emerged that some trusts had repotedly begun asking men if they were pregnant before performing scans.

The move, aimed at ensuring inclusive care, sparked public backlash, with critics arguing that it was a needless bureaucratic exercise and a waste of resources.

The policy was widely ridiculed as a misguided attempt at inclusivity, with many questioning the logic behind asking biological men about pregnancy in the first place.

While the NHS has stated that it is committed to providing services that support all patients, including those who are transgender or non-binary, some argue that such efforts risk undermining medical standards and practical care.

With the health service already under immense pressure, there is growing frustration over what some see as a fixation on political correctness at the expense of frontline healthcare.

Dr Peddleton and Dr Pezaro’s proposal to ditch the word “midwife” is the latest example of the NHS’s efforts to adopt more inclusive language.

As the debate rages on, some NHS trusts have already moved towards gender-neutral terminology, with terms like “birthing person” replacing “mother” in an effort to be more trans-friendly.

The shift has provoked further criticism, with opponents arguing that such changes erode clear, professional language in healthcare settings.